LIBRARY OF CONGRESS. 

Cliuj/ Copyright No. 

Shell'..«..33 3 ^ 



UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. 




APR 18 18b4 



PINE NEEDLES 



SONNETS AND SONGS 



iJ^ 



HELOISE DURANT 




G. P. PUTNAM'S SONS 

NEW YORK : 27 & 29 WEST 23D STREET 
LONDON : 25 HENRIETTA STREET, COVENT GARDEN 

A8S4 



b"^ 



ty 



COPYRIGHT BY 

G. P. PUTNAM'S SONS 



Press of 

G. F. Putnam's Sous 

New York 



CONTENTS. 



DEDICATION 
PINE NEEDLES 
THE FEW 
TO A. H. L. . 
AVRILE 
A PARTING 
ANAXARETE 
TO A. SCHULZ 
A GHOST 
MY STAR 

TO ALFRED TENNYSON 
LOVE SLAIN . 
TO A. C. L. B. 
ON A NEST FULL OF SNOW- 
UNCHANGED 

TO THE REV. j * * * * k 
LORRAINE 
" NAPOLEON IV " . 
ON A PICTURE OF MRS. D * * BY CHARLES INGHAM 
ON A PICTURE OF JEANNE d'aRC BY BASTIEN LE PAGE 



* % -» 



PACE 

iii 

I 



5 
6 

7 
8 

9 

lO 

1 1 

12 

13 
15 
17 
iS 

19 

20 
21 

o ■-> 



CONTENTS. 



HOTEL DIEU .... 








. 


• 23 


Dante's mask .... 






. 


. 24 


ON rubenstein's tower of babel 










. 25 


TO L. D. A 










. 26 


to L. D. A 










. 27 


TO L. D. A 










. 28 


ginevra 










. 29 


OASIS , . . . . 










• 30 


LATE BLOSSOMS. TO H. C. G. 










• 31 


VICTORIA TO MRS. GARFIELD 










■ 32 


MARGARET ..... 










zz 


MARGARET IN CHURCH 










■ 35 


PUT OFF THINE SHOON 










36 


ON A LETTER FROM LONGFELLOW 










37 


TIDAL WAVES .... 










• 3S 


OHIME 










39 


A SUNSET 










40 


NO ! 










41 


HINC ILL/E LACRYM.E 










42 


" CONSOLAZIONE " ... 










43 


CHE FARO SENZA EURYDICE . 










44 


AMOR TYRANNUS 










45 


PARTED ? 










46 


THEN .'.... 










47 


THY VALEDICTION 










48 


A WISH 










49 


lO NON POSSO ! 










50 



CONTENTS. 



THE MOON AND THE SEA 

JEALOUSY .... 

LOSS OR GAIN . . 

MISUNDERSTANDINGS 

A VALENTINE 

BLIND ! . 

ON THE THRESHOLD 

UNWORTHY .... 

LIFE ..... 

IN TRINITY. TO THE REV. M ■■■"' ' 

ON ! ON ! 

CRUCIFIED ! . . . • 

EASTER-TIDE 

PECCAVI .... 

REST • . - . 

SONG 

HERALDS .... 

death's SIMILITUDES 

TO KATE 

NOT LOST . . . ■ 

FLOWERS AND FACE 

DESERTED .... 

TO .... 

A child's FAITH . 

SOMETIMES, (in ANSWER TO " ALWAYS " CY 

Catherine's violet .... 

FALL, O FLEECY FLAKES OF SNOW ! 



s.) 



51 

52 

53 
'54 
55 
56 
57 
5S 
60 
6r 

63 
64 

65 
66 
69 
73 

75 
76 

78 

80 

81 

82 

84 

85 
88 
90 

95 



Vlll 



CONTENTS. 









TAGU 


SKAKtl'.I.D 




99 


WAllING 




lOl 


INDIAN LULLAIIY 




104 


SI', valentine's SONG ........ 




lOO 


TO W. W . M. . ....... 




107 


K.AQUETTE 




lOy 


"the stars AKi: ■nil'. Ki'.viioii.s ok iii;avkn, and 


Till 




ANGELS KKll' lllK Kl-.Vs" 




I I 2 


THE I'OET's ANSW 1 I^ 




114 


HANDS (.M.ASl'Kl) IN I'KAYER . . . . . 




115 


OUR AUTUMN 




116 


NEMESIS. (e.VUSI' ON " WAI.l'UKOlS-NACHT ") 




'I7 


HVOIEA ......... 




i:;o 


lU'.VOND .... . . . . 




122 


UNCEIM'AIN'I'V 




1-4 


WllA r 1 .... 






125 


A LOVE .... 


. 




126 


THOU AND I ... 






128 


nk;u r I'ALi.s, o\ sleev, i'.elovi'.d 


SLEEP, (suggested 


EY A 




NOC'l'UKNE liV A. SCllUL.'^) 


. 




130 


SCA ri'ERED SUNSHINE . 






i^i 


EEAK AND EAll'll . 






132 


A soul's MESSAGE 


> 




134 


STANZAS .... 


. 




13(3 


SONG 






^U 


SONG 


. 




139 


ONLY 


. 




141 



CONTENTS. 



IX 



" UMSDNST " 


. ' . 








PAGE 


CANZONET. (SUGOKSTKI) 


:Y A PICTURE I!Y J. 


KENEVRl 


.r) 


• 144 


IMPROMPTU 








146 


HIUK MY SECRET WELL 










147 


STANZAS 










. 149 


I LOVE THEE 










150 


LIFE, DEATH, AND LOVE 










• 152 


FRHsNDS ? . . . 










153 


SONG .... 
THREE ROSES 










155 

'.S^^ 


COME ! . 
GUARDIAN ANGEL 










157 

i5« 


THOU ! ... 










160 



PINE NEEDLES. 

As summer breeze with swift, light-winged feet, 
Touching and dimpUng silent Silver Lake, 
Climbs stately pines that watchful and awake 
Stand guardians to the forest's dark retreat, 
Till from the feathery tree-tops, soft and fleet, 
The needles sinking to the ground, scarce break 
The silence with their fall, or when storms slake 
Their raging fury in the winds that beat 
Against the tall, dark pines, shedding in pain 

Like forced tears their slight smooth darts below. 
So dropt these poem-fancies from my brain. 

By sudden gusts of passion or of woe. 
Anon by love's sweet stirring breath o'ertaken, 
Thoughts from my heart to trembling words were shaken. 



THE FEW. 

My words are for the few, not for the mass ; 

For crowds contain more fools and knaves than wise 
And good ; mostly the common herd despise 

The thoughts above their ken. So let me pass 

These lower natures by, till reached a class 
Apart from those who never let their eyes 
Above the range of sensual pleasures rise, 

Or hear aught else than chink of gold alas ! — 

I speak unto the few whose lives must be 

A web of many tints, a mystery 

Of light and shade, of joy and pain, whose rhyme 
The angels know, — to men, who live above 

In larger spheres; while battledores of Time 
Toss shuttle souls below, these rest in Love. 



TO A. H. L. 

O ! I^'ricnd across the sea — may peace be thine : 
May love surround thee with the bhss it brings ; 
May sorrow cross thy path with folded wings, 

And as it pass but touch with shade divine ; 

May joy keep offering thee its sparkling wine, 
While in thine cars sweet songs it gayly sings ; 
May every evil thought, thy heart that stings, 

From want of nourishment wax faint and pine. 

While holier aims increase; mayst thou be blest 

With health throughout thy days ; Heaven brighter grow 
As to thy fading sight earth's lights burn low 

And angels summon thee to endless rest. — 

These are the wishes, Friend across the sea. 

That lovingly I think and waft to thee. 



...rH- 







" Sweet wayward Avrile, opal of the year." 
4 



AVRILK. 

Sweet wayward Avrilc, opal of the year, 

Trippini; lialf in tlie ]ii;ht, lialf in the shade, 
Briglitening the brooklet's bank and forest glade; 

Upon thy lips a smile, in eyes a tear, 

While mingled with thy carolling we hear 
Some lingering tones of sadness. Art afraid 
To trust spring's joyous tale? Have March winds made 

Thy promised blossoms bloom too late ? Ne'er fear 

The months behind with May before. — 

O! days 
Of dewy freshness, when sweet new life creeps 

Through chilled veins. O ! Avrilc, time of lays, 
Fit month for poet, who too laughs and weeps, 

And opal-like has poesy's thousand gleams 

To color all his life and love and dreams. 



A j'AirriNG. 



(Suggested by a picture in the Cottiiry.) 



Black piiU's, and jnir[)lc jicaks 'q;ainst golden skies,, 
An aiitiinin c'\c in loxcl)' western kind. 
Twc) fii^iires, man aiul maick in silence stand: 

She <;azinL;" up with tender, pleading eyes 

In which a world of weary anguish lies: 

lie, holding fast each trembling little haml, 
Looks down into sweet troubleil face — " Commanc 

]\Ie as }H)ii will — to gx) or sta\'," he cries ; 

And she — " For others I am pleading — go." 
The rising night wind stirs her shining hair ; 
He draws her to him with a mute despair : 

" For love's dear sake I bear this bitter woe ; 

We meet in Ciod's good time." Lips touch for one 

Sweet moment — then — 'mid pines he stood alone. 



ANAXARETE. 

Coquettes, who like the Cyprus maid of yore 
Would let sad Iphis burn his heart in vain 
Out on Love's altar, and see the sighing swain 
Despairing die, despite life hopes, before 
The portals of their cold heart's closed door, 
And still not suffer pity wash this stain 
From soul with tender tears : (eyes' heavenly rain), 
Shall share the fate of maid in fabled lore. 
And turn to stone. What if their bodies live, 

Their hearts and souls in icy s(j]itude 
Shut secretly, can joys no longer give 

To earthly days ; drear frosts within exclude 
All hopes of warmth from Love's reviving fires, 
As music 's mute forever in brokc:n lyres. 



TO A. SCIIULZ. 

As when on some spring dew-impearled bush, 

(Growing beside a long-forgotten moat, 
Reflecting patches of blue,) there comes from throat 

Of some wild songster, blithesome lark or thrush, 
A burst of melody, and then a hush, 

And in the silence echoes still a note 

Unearthly in its sweetness, that has smote 
Hearts listening with sweet pain, while memories rush 
Back from old days. — So with thy melodies 

When played, and all the sweet tones mute, my hands 
Still fondly linger o'er the responsive keys, 

While fast my thoughts are seeking other lands, 
And greeting thee till joys with sadness blends. 
I love thy strains, but fain would see thee, Friend. 



A GHOST. 

Yea, I have seen a ghost, my blood ran cold, 
A ghastly pallor stole the ruddy right 
From cheek and lips, while with the sudden fright 
My heart stood still, and knees could scarce uphold 
My trembling frame : yet naught of church-yard mold. 
Clung to its robe, that gleamed not ghostly white. 
But dainty blue, and neither did the light 
Burn dim, but lit up hair of browned gold, 
Bright hazel eyes, and laughing mouth, the while 
A hand was stretched out for me to touch. 
Oh ! pain of finding what we prize too much. 
Lost utterly to us. The joyous smile. 
Which others saw, fell on my soul like lead, 
For all this dear ghost's love for me was dead. 



MY STAR. 

Amid the silver beacons of the night, 

That twinkle truths into man's doubting breast, 
And shed sweet peace upon this world's unrest, 
One shining star that glimmered purely bright 
My seeking soul chose for its guiding light ; 
l^eneath its beams my heart its sins con f est, 
Learning to love the highest and the best. 
But suddenly gray clouds obscured my sight 
And hid ni)' star. My light is gone! and yet, 

This heavy darkness is not sent in vain ; ' 
My star still shines, to me alone 't is set. 

And One can lead me to its light again, 
Though I may wait till death's cold flood be crost 
Ere I can greet my star that is not lost. 



lO 



TO ALFRED TENNYSON. 

As holding off some poorly printed page, 

Where half the type is black and half is pale, 
Eyes quickly read the darkest words, but fail 

To mark the rest : so standing on life's stage 

And casting back a glance on days that age 
Shall never steal from me or ever stale ; 
Amid uneven lettering of youth's tale, 

I see the moments passed beside thee, sage 

And tender poet ! stand out in bold relief, 
Engraved on my heart too deep to fade, 

As one great joy will outlive many a grief. 

Prizing thy sayings all, but O ! the chief 

Were simple words of welcome that have made 

A lasting memory of sweet hours too brief. 



LOVE SLAIN. 

" Come, maidens, weep with mc, for Love is slain ; 

Close down sweet eyelids — straighten out white limbs. 

The ruddy beauty of cheeks, lips, death dims ; 
The nerveless hands rest o'er a bow in twain ; 
The roses fall from ambrosial locks ; a strain 

Of low, sweet music fills the air, and hymns 

Are sung by tender voices. Each maid trims 
Her silver lamp, chanting in bitter pain : 
" How came Love slain ? the god-like form lies white 

And free from wound. There came a sinful breath 
That slew Amor in all his strength and might — 

A breath of passion, more terrible than death. 
Alas ! desire's touch turns day to night, 

Love's rosy crown to death's dark cypress wreath." 



TO A. C. T.. B. 

As morning sun the rebel mists disperse 
That hide Apollo's royal countenance, 
Till doubting dawn, as waking from a trance, 
Flies day, that smiling o'er the universe 
In one great flood of light doth earth immerse ; 
So did thy liberal nature in advance 
Dispel the sullen mists of ignorance, 
And swift the scorching sands of doubt traverse, 
Beyond, above, till reached thy soul the height 

Whence nobler minds look down on toiling men, 
Cheering their darkness with a steady light. 
Uplifting bruised hearts, and waiting then 
For their own day to end without regret, 
Knowing the sun then seen will never set. 



13 




■' The white-filled nest now hangs an empty thing." 
14 



ON A NEST FULL OF SNOW. 

I. 

On leafless limb an empty nest is left, — 

Sweet home of singing-life in summer-time, — 
But restless wings waft swift to milder clime 

The chirps and songs of which the tree's bereft. 

Then winter comes ; the frost with fingers deft 
Fills full with snow the lone, deserted nest, 
And clothes the naked bough with shining vest. 

A mad March wind swept through the woodland cleft 

That laid the ice-bound branches bare again, 
And made a whirlwind of the drifted snow ; 

But 'gainst the tiny nest it beat in vain, 

Nor shook from out its depths its load below, 

So proudly to the skies the tree held up 

Its frozen wine in moss and twig-built cup. 

II. 

Of nature's quiet beauty or wildest mood, — 
Of all that charms or startles us, — we find 
A reflect somewhere in the human mind, 

Unless we dull our sight with self's thick hood. 

The empty nest within the wintry wood 



Is like a lonely heart in womankind, 

Where joy once nesting, made ears deaf, eyes blind ; 
With songs it sang, beneath the glorious flood 
Of light from Love — the sun of woman's heaven. 

But memories haunt the heart when joy has flown ; 
Sad solace thus to sighing soul is given. 

Which by life's keenest blast is not o'erthrown, 
But deep within the woman's aching breast 
Lies nested through her winter of unrest. 

III. 
The slowest season wears away at last ; 

The wildest wind of March dies in a shower 

Of April's tears, who o'er her earliest flower 
Weeps joyously, as when a mother fast 
Within her arms her first-born clasps. Then Spring 

Gayly begins her dress to gem with green. 
The white-filled nest now hangs an empty thing, 
And woman, see true Parsee that she is, 

Lowly adoring, welcomes back her sun. 
All frozen griefs are gone beneath the bliss 

Of lost Love's light. Ah ! there is One ' 
Who may bring back the birds to their old nest, 
And jcn^ again unto the woman's breast. 

16 



UNCHANGED. 

Since Nature first beheld the sun's bright beam, 
How altered are her lineaments, as clime 
The race of man has changed by art or crime, 

Till Adam, if returned to earth, would deem 

Him hardly kin ; so doth creation seem 
Changed utterly by years of heat and rime. 
But He, of worlds, and stars, and suns, sublime 
Creator, immutable remains past Time ; 

And in His temples of the human heart 

The fires of hope, faith, love, still purely burn, 

As when God-lighted first. So sins still start 

To life from smouldering passions. Time may turn 

And change man's outer self, but good and ill, 

From Eden's heir to thine, the same are still. 



17 



TO THE REV. j * * * * k 



* -X- ■■<- -X- * 



Brave heart that toiHng ever for the Master's sake 
Bears uncomplainingly oft-heavy cross, 
Counting as gain all personal ill or loss 

If in His cause. E'er watchful and awake, 

With lamp well trimmed, how does thy hot zeal make 
More slothful souls ashamed of their souls' moss ! 
To thee, unless well used all gold is dross; 

Life but a battle, where each heart must take 
Its stand and fight unto the bitter end. 

True, faithful, pure, what matter if thy creed 
Is not as mine ? we worship both One Word, 
One Christ ; His light we seek. O ! may He send 

Peace, joy, and blessing for thine every need, 

Till earned the rest of those who love the Lord ! 



LORRAINE. 

Oh, little feet that patter by my door ; 

Sweet laughing voice, still echoing in my ear ; 

Soft ruddy lips that lisp : " I love you, dear ' " 
White dimpled hands, that clinging more and more 
Teach me the simple magic of love's lore. 

Why must ye bring me happiness so near. 

And then depart without a thought or fear. 
Lest all thy sweetness might leave sorrow sore ? 
This soft caress is but for an hour mine ; 
Thy little life f^lls full another's. Might 

That I too o'er thy witcheries had right ; 

Could keep thy blue eyes by me still to shine. 

Like sapphire stars through darkest days, and light 

My heart with chilhood's innocence divine. 



"NAPOLEN IV." 

Did stars shine cold and dim when thou wert born, 
O Prince ! whose generous heart-blood vainly wet 
Hot Afric's sands, that thus thy sun should set, 

Leaving fond hearts thy early loss to mourn ? 

Did no wild wind foretell thy fate forlorn 
On natal day ? In month of violet 
Thou cam'st to earth, like that fair floweret. 

Tasting spring's sweets alone : the rose and thorn 

Of youth's short summer, the fruitful hoard 

Of manhood's autumn, ne'er to thee were given. 

Perchance all good thou lost on earth was stored 
By loving angels' hands in future heaven — 

So after troubled days, 'mid spirits blest, 

Thou findest life for aye of peace and rest. 



ON A PICTURE OF MRS. D * * 

BY CHARLES INGHAM, 

There spoke the artist in the charming pose, 
The skilful painting of the bright young face, 
Lit with vivacity and tender grace. 

Oh, but to listen when those lips unclose ! 

And gazing still, this portrait grows and grows 
More beautiful to watching eyes that trace 
The sweet, calm dignity of high-born race 

In girlish, queenly bearing. Oh, that woes 

Could ne'er assail a brow so fair and pure ! 
But life to loveliest of God's creatures brings 
Oft grief. Away oils, brush, the artist flings, 

Well knowing this work of his will fame ensure, 

But she who wins it for him must endure 

What Azrael shadows forth from outspread wings. 



21 



ON A PICTURE OF JEANNE D'ARC 

BY BASTIEN LE PAGE. 

Awed by the solemn voices in the air, 

She listens till low whispers round her rise 

To loud commands. " Obey," thus swiftly cries. 

Her heart, " and save thy king." 

The sun lights fair 

Young face, modest, yet brave enow to dare 
For duty, life unsexed ; the pure blue eyes 
Looking beyond the present to where lies 

God's peace in golden future, nor mark nor care 

The flaming prophesy in heaven. — Above, 

Seeking in mysteries of sacred love 

An answer to her prayers, she reads the skies. 

Rapt in blest vision, lost to all on earth, 

With full heart speaking tho' her lips be dumb.. 
So once through life, God's light we recognize, 

That burned for us since first weak hour of birth, 

And know His message to our souls has come. 



HOTEL DIEU! 

A house of shelter for the stricken poor, 
A house of mercy for the saddened breast, 
A house of heahng where the weary rest. 

Here can one learn with patience to bridge o'er 

Long hours of pain, here sanctify the lore 

Of leechcraft, watched and watcher both being blest, 
As each is taught his daily lesson best. 

Here words of faith can whisper of bright shore 

Beyond the bitter waters of death's tide, 

While hope sings to sore hearts sweet songs, and love 
The sick and well in friendship bind. Within 

These walls, ills, blessings turn, and duties glide 

To acts of joy, since " God's guests," sufferers prove. 
Who soul and body sick come to " God's Lin." 



23 



DANTIVS MASK. 

And this is all now left of thco — ii mask 

Of grave, worn features, still so proud in death. 

No bitter jest can wound thcc b}' a breath, 
Nor idle mocker now in scoffinL:^ ask 
Th}' mission here. Completed all thy task. 

And won for over the immortal wreath ; 

WHiile saddest of sad brows rests still beneath, 
Heart tempest-tost doth now in God's light bask. 
Pale image of great poet and brave man, 

Thou art to me as monitor and friend. 
When those sad lips and sunken eyes I scan, 

I see the lines of will that naught could rend ; 
Dauntless to death, still free tho' Florence ban, 

Proving tin* strenulh. endurance to the end. 



24 



ON rui5I':ns'i1':]N's 'it)WI'J^: op- i',ai'.i:l. 

(J man ambitious! Niiiii'()(l of an Iioiir, 

Who with proud (h;c(l and ])oni])oiis-vc;,Li(l iiii;.'Jit 
I)uil(l.s u[) vvitli can,- Ijcyoud llic hiiinaii i.i^dit 

A sclf-cnslirinin^^, costly, stately tower, 

Seeking thereby t(j reach <>{ povvei:, the I'ower, 
Wliich by man's puerile mind is ofl<:n hivht 
Love, j^old, <)r fame, or heart of adamit(,-. 

Beware! clouds ^.^ather and the tem[;ests lower. 

Thy tower 's a wreck, thy lujpcs arc scattered wide 
And wander where? Know now no peace nor resl. 

h'rom One thou scfjrn'dst O ! vainly strive to hide! 
I'Vjrth must thou wanrler still for aye unblesl. 

Till in the desert 'neath ihe wild ni^'lit wind, 

At last JI(jave-n's voice thou 'It lie-ar, and <'iod lliou 'It find. 



25 



TO L. D. A. 

Beauty is good, sweet TViend, e'en though it sit 
Upon the peasant's brow 'stead queen's ; we arm 
Our hearts in vain against its spells, for warm 

The blood will course through veins at sight of it. 

But better beauty of the mind ; bright wit 
Like summer lightning flashing not to harm ; 
Sweet fancies, scented flower-words that charm 

The senses with their loveliness, and flit 

Like winge^d seedlets to and fro ; strong thought 
Deeper than the fathomless sapphire sea. 
Higher than snow peaks. lUit the best must be 

Beauty of soul where charity is wrought 

With purity into the very spirit. 

And thine these beauties three, our love to merit. 



26 



TO L. J). A. 

Fain would I tell, dear Heart, which I like best; 
To see thee look like Louis' hapless queen. 
With powdered hair, brocade, and stately mien. 

Moving as if all men must do tliy best; 

Or when as peasant from Italia drest. 

With kerchief red against thy dark hair's sheen, 

In boddice gay, twirling the tambourine 

With dancing step, sweet smile, and laughing jest; 

Or when with gentle care and tender eyes 

Forgetting self for hours in sick friend's room, 
Like very sunbeam scattering pain and gloom, 

A ministering spirit in most sweet disguise ; 

Or when in reverent j^rayer upon thy knees; — 

Which way now art thou best ? Why, each of these. 



27 



TO L. D. A. 

Can the black scratches of a faltering pen 

Express how much I love thee ? Can lips tell 
With halting speech and broken words how well 
I love thee ? fashion forth my soul's amen 
To thy life's prayer? How can the knowledge then 
Of all thy worth to me be thine ? O ! spell 
The unwritten, unspoken words that dwell 
Within my heart, and find (as in some glen 
A lover scrawls on rocks his mistress' name,) 
" Lucile," and still " Lucile," engraved there. 
O ! true, sweet friend, honest, wise, and fair, 
I'd like a thousand tongues to give thee fame ! 
Sweet Sister of my soul — I find in thee 
All that as perfect woman one would be. 



28 



GINEVRA. 

O ! couldst thou stand so ever it were best : 
A beauteous vision robed in sheeny white, 
Dreaming last girlish dreams on bridal night. 

Half doubting if thy lord would like the jest, 

Yet coyly longing eager love to test. 

Drop not the curtain with a laugh so light, 
'T is but a pall thy wifehood hopes to blight. 

O ! take thy hand from off that fatal chest ! 

And pause, while life and love are thine ! 

Yet fate 
Doth bitterer deaths than thine on some bestow. 
Thy closed eyes ne'er ope to waking woe 

Of buried trust and hope, thou 'It never wait 

To watch sweet wedded love droop low and die. 

Better than that to lie where thou wilt lie. 



29 



OASIS. 

As wearied traveller o'er the burning sands 

Sees distant haven in a speck of green, 

Knowing what cooling springs those branches screen, 
Hastes laggard feet until he gladly stands 
Within the palm's sweet shade, while eager hands 

Seek welcome streams, amid the restful scene 

His drooping heart revives. — (What if between 
This spot and home lie tracks of desert lands? 
The present joy is his to take and keep.) 

So in our wandering o'er the " sands of Time," 
When wearied, sick at heart, we blindly weep, 

A tender word, a smile, sweet strain, pure rhyme, 
Will give us blessed rest awhile, and let 
Our souls for once their bitterness forget. 



30 



LATE BLOSSOMS. 



To H. C. G. 



First dainty bud in spring finds welcome warm 
From nature's heart, with its sweet prophecy 
Of fuller blooms, as proem in poesy. 
Yet when the fresh buds fade and wee wings swarm 
Li deeper shade, and June is near, a charm 
(Not only felt in dreamer's fantasy) 
Surrounds late blossoms, 't is no heresy 
To nature's creed, can neither stint nor harm 
The love we bear to summer, but the last 
Of fair May's fleeting gems we treasure fast. 
So, Child, since thou late visitant hast told 

To loving hearts God's messages again. 
Around thy budding life fresh hopes unfold. 

More welcome now as sprung from faith and pain. 



.31 



VICTORIA vo Mks. (;aiv1'1i:li). 

" \Voiils I'.uinot express the deep sympathy 1 fi-ol with ymi at tliis tcnllili 
iiioiiunt. May doil support ami comfort you us llo alone can ! " 

— TUK (JlKl'N. 

A)'c ! ^\'0|■^ls aiT want iiiq;, speech too wwik aiul wiin 
To luMt" the \\eis.;lit ot syiiipathw i^xpress 
To stiieki'ii w ill' the w ide woiKl's sore ihstress, 

That oite more Maiiti'K-ss \ietim shotiKl he shiiii ; 

Auel (.loil aK>ne e.iii soothe this i_;reat ihil! pain. 
\'et all our nation's re\erent teuilerness, 
The (low ei-st lew n tiaek, iineo\\ieil heails. help hless. 

Tite motiininL;" soul. Siuh lo\ e is not iit \ain. 

Anil "mill the tributes to the noMe ileail, 

A (^iieen senils lo\ ini; words across the sea, 

Anil as her heart ilsell has sailly hleil. 

Remeniherini; now those ila)'S ot ani;iiish, she 

Speaks not so ro)Mll\' as pnrel)' human, 

Willow to willow — w oman unto woman. 



32 



MAKC.ARIVW 

Sad Margaret, thy story, throu^'ji llic must 
And mists of ages, shines as one sees liglit 
Of falh'ng star thronjdi tcar-brinnru'd eyes ; the lu.ijdit 

From which thy j)iire soul fill llnoiifdi loving' trust 

]s out of reach beyond the tliou"_lils of lust. 

And as the watched slai's in their downward flight, 
Ne'er touch the- earth, hut vani ,h from our sight, 

So sank thy spirit ; not to lie in dust, 

liut to he cau;.dit by anr,;(l Iiands mid-air. 

And wafted hack to h('aven whence it came. 

Thy golden hair, blue eyes, love, sin, despair, 
J'Vamc picture sad as lasting, giving name 

To griefs most dumb — thy moans articulate 

Mute histories of hearts who learn t(jo late. 



3.3 




♦ * * O ! sore unrest 
Give way to peace before this sacred shrine. 



34 



MARGARET IN CHURCH. 

I feel their gaze upon me — evil eyes 

Spy out my secret guilt. O ! Lord, forgive 
What human hearts will not. If tears could shrive. 
My burdened soul, wash stain away,— despise, 
Scoff on at will, ye righteous ! Lo ! I rise 
Repentant and forgiven, now can live 
A higher life. Vain hope and fugitive ! 
These searing drops but water grief that lies 
Too deep for utterance, O ! sore unrest 

Give way to peace before this sacred shrine- 
Have mercy, Saviour! Could my heart divine 
Sin came with love I deemed but pure and blest ? 
O ! hear me ; in my agony I cry 
For help. Forgive me, God, and let me die ! 



35 



PUT OFV TIITNE SIIOON. 

" Tut off thine shocMi, O careless Christian clo<j;- ! 

] Icrc must one c-nlcr as nicck Axorshipjicr. 

Allah is great, forgiving thosi^ who err, 
If penitent, e'en those defiled \vith hog. 
]^ut Avhate'er light thou seekcst through this fog 

(M' unbeliefs, Christian, philosopher, 

l)ue reverence to th)' creed thou must aver, 
(iod is God, in mosque, temple, synagogue." 

And not to hurt the Mussulman's keen pride, 

C^ur shoon we travellers gladly lay aside. 
What (\o we lay aside at oi/r church tloor? 

All taint oi pi'idc, lust, gold, that break the Ten 
in tlunight ? Tut off these shoon, then kneel, adore- 

(.") ! shame, that A\e do less for God than men. 



36 



ON A. tj:tti:i< v\<(m i.oNCii'iaj.cnv. 

(Sciil before, Inil iccci vcd aflrr lii , (litalh.) 

As for an instant slartin;:^ from a dream — 

(VVlicrcill some dear lost friend lliroiivji jjilyin;;' sleep 
Was ours aj^'ain to fondly cla^iJ and i.e-e])j, 
So cUjsc allied to truth the visions seem, 
Wc taste frjr^otten joys, till dawning gleam 
(){ waking consciousness and reason sweej) 
'I lie' mir.'if.'c from death's desert, and we weej). 
So for a bles:;(;d moment did I deem 
'J'liou must be living .still, a, Ihy dear name 
]>ay written by thy hand before nn'iie eyes, 
'J'hen swift our bitte^r lo:,s to memory came. 
Oh ! words encouraging, which now I ]>rize 
Beyond the telling. Ah ! thy kind thoughts gav .• 
Comfort while here, and still do from the grave. 



37 




riDAl, WAVI'.S. 



As waves beat restlessly against tlu- shore, 

'I'hroui'h witchinL;- moon and stitMu;tluiiiiit; sims, yrl lu.iki- 
No mij',lil\' eli,iin;i- of eoast, saw that tlu)' hieak 

( )'i'r shift iiii;' saiuls sonu^ rods, now less, now more, 

(living or acKliiu;' to the oei-an's slort-. 

Till ;;u(Klenl\- some ruthU-ss morn men wake 
To liiid (he Sim's pent passions roused to tala; 

A moirsti'ous loiin of \\a\i' ; with sullen loar 

It sweeps o'cv bi-aeh and l)aid^, o'er lane and burn. 
Till 'lU'ath its fatal eoursi- a landscape lies. — 

So minoi' jo)s and griefs, in our lives turn 

but hairbreadths passicm's boundarii-s, but rise 

I'loui out of luarls the tidal-\\a\i' ol 1 -ovo, 

beneath its whelmiui'; llood we lulpK-ss pitive. 



oiiiivrr^:. 

Would llial llioLi or 1 were (\v.:ii\, OliiriKj — 
This stru^i^lc would be eiuU'il tlieii, at peace 
The lon^-wagcd war betwixt us twain. ( ) ! cease 

Tormenting thoughts relentlessly that slay 

My inner life, — my garned strength's away 

Whene'er we meet and ]jart. O! Lord, increase 
My sorrows so my ]>ainful 111 lie lease 

Of life be run — or if I must obey 

i lealth's laws and live, then give me joy again, 

(iive ransomed friendshij) for this mockery 
That forced social ties require- the strain 

Grows daily harder — O ! sad sorcery 

Of I'^ate dividing paths that crossed each day — 
Losl ! each soul to each on earth, Ohim6, 



39 



A SUNSET. 

A shelving beach, behind a bank grass-grown, 
Before us stretching wide tlie sparkhng sea, 
Beyond the red sun sinks in radianc}'. 
Swift to inviting bhie hke ruby thrown 
In sapphire cup — the lapping waves have grown 
Bolder and amorously creep near where we, 
Lost in a strange and sweet necromancy 
Of time and place, sit silent, lest the crown 
Of passing joy be stolen from each again, 

To shine on other brows. Here bliss and pain 
Mingle as sands with sea, when waves shores kiss 

In days to come, apart, I seek in vain 
Such scene once more — O ! for that sunset glow, 
With God above — just Thou and I below ! 



40 



NO 



In sorrow still my trembling lips must frame. 
This bitter answer, tho' mine eyes be wet. 
And heart be filled with tender, true regret, 

That thou hadst dreamt of giving me thy name. 

To wake and find that thou couldst never claim 
More than my friendship. If thou canst forget 
I have a being, haste great heart to set 

The seal of thy pure love elsewhere, inflame 

Another nobler soul than mine with love. 

Somewhere for thee she sits and waits apart. 

Ready a loving, faithful wife to prove, 
If thou but fold her to thy honest heart. 

But I, with my scant love, would bring thee woe 
So for thine own dear sake must say thee no I 



41 



lllNi III I I Ai K\M.l':. 

1 '..iw (', •(' st.ilitl IhI'.mc \\\r •,( let* liili;; \\ iiU" 

riiinc ,iii\i'. It' t l.i'l' inr !.• lli\ l.iillilul lur.ist. 
riiv ilr.ii i\ f. '.oip'lil mmr own iii miitr iii(iu'st, 

As triiil(il\ liitMi ilnwi'.t iMi- to tli\' '.iilc; 

W'lllli- llXUl (ll\ lll>-. ImII'.I I. Mill a p.l- MOIU'.! (nil- 

i )| li>\ 111;; w I'l.l'. ti> '.oi'l 111- iii\ SiHC unrest, 
Aihl oil iii\ liiow Will- luiiiiiii;; kisses jMcst, 

111! I niiilijiii;', .Ml lli\ I>UM'.( iii\ l.u .■ I lii.K'. 

I luiikiu'; " l''.'i »MU I- \\r I'.u h li.Ui' -.luili luil Iumu i.itc 

Owe jUlUit ll.MU, lull of SWl'l-t ll.l|«|Mn(,"SS, 

lieu- lit ir. lilt oiii -.oiils .il)o\i- 111. in'-, li.iti-, 

Aiiil '.toil- oiii !'..im .IS nu inoi\ to Mi-.s 
Soiui- lutiiii- lioiii ol p. Ill ill;;." (M exes Wffp, 
I w .ikr lo luiil I '..iw thii' ImiI 111 ■.li'r[). 



4a 



" C()N'.\( )l. A/ION I'.." 

I'. iIktc no way, di-ar fii< nd, ilui f < .m '.Iiarr 
'I liy sorrow ? Mii'il I mN nl •,]! .iikII.movv 
A( lilli;'_ ill)' In. lit Willi iiiH I iiii| iLiiiiiiii; woe, 
And sllili li no lovili;; li.iiid lo li< \\, IIkc jicir 
'lliy pKMiil (jO',',? ( oiild '.yiiip.il liy hill d.iic 
To lake the sli.i|)<- il li',1, 'I would ui;;' nn ('ij, 
Swiftly lo !,c<d< IJiii (.iil,.iiid wlii'.p'i low 
Swct'l word') of (oiiiloil hull (j Willi lioj/i Jul \n.iyry, 
I>iil '.lill IIk ■.\t.\(f |)( lw<i II n, iitl crvf-lics 

My wisJHs v.iin. V<l l.ii jj iJn , ii nd, i l|i.,ii;diL 
'I o ( oiiiloil tli(( ( ,i( Il d.iy .III. I III, III i', wroiij^ht 
Willi p.iin lo nil lli.il '..iddi ir, IIm i . l,(/v<; screens 
Oiii (i i( lid', J]) oil liDiii n., I, 111 nol liis j.M'ief, 
So ji 1 my :,oi |-owiii:'^ love he lliy relief. 



43 




^■-\A 



N ^^ 



'/-^^ 



CHE FARO SENZA EURYDICE! 

So sang the spouse that in those olden days 

Once loved and lost, and for his dear spouse's sake,. 
Braved gaping jaws of hell so he could take 

His Eurydice back to earth, but stays 

To cast one look behind, (so legend says,) 
And loses her eternally. O ! make 
No moaning, plaintive Orpheus ; awake 

To this sweet truth, that thine own tale betrays. 

How she so loved \w3.s follozving ih.QQ. to life — 
Now what thy woe compared to mine ! O ! see 

The love I sought returns to hell at strife 
With heaven and me, and longing to be free 

Of love's sweet servitude, and light above. 

O ! can my life be lived without thee. Love? 

44 



AMOR TYRANNUS. 

With outstretched, longing arms, " Come, Love," I cried 

But Love eluded me. I felt as one 

Who strives to catch his shadow 'neath the sun, 
And learns his labor 's vain ; sweet Love denied 
His touch to me, to others fast he hied, 

Tossed them his golden crowns, the goal was won ; 

Love's triumph theirs ere half the race was run. 
Anon I stood by Love's own kingly side. 
His glamour dazed my wearied eyes, and now 

His touch brought no responsive throb to heart. 
Too weighty grew his diadem for brow. 

From him once fondly sought I fain would part. 
But spite of prayers. Love lingers by me still, 
Alack ! this god goes, stays, at his own will. 



45 



PARTED ? 

Thou to the East, dear Love, I to the West; 
Or I to East, thou West, so runs the creed. 
Our elders wisely preach in love's sore need. 

Parting and silence are both deemed best. 

Be our tongues dumb and severed hands that prest, 
'T would be transgressing law of Perse and Mede, 
To meet and greet — we must away with speed ! 

Put poles betwixt us twain. Ah ! vain behest — 

Peaks purple, sapphire levels of sunlit sea, 
Dense green of forest nooks, rose-tinted sky, 
All varied space that may between us lie. 

Brings thee but nearer me, my soul to thee. 

In all we find the other. Love — apart ? 

Not while we each are blessed with faithful heart. 



46 



THEN. 

And dost thou deem because thou offerest love, 

I am to Hsten to thy suit — be won 

By soft, fair words? nay. Life has just begun 
To open wide the world's great tome. Above 
I read the title and would willing move 

A step now nearer, turning one by one 

The mystic pages as the moments run 
Themselves to months and years, while mine eyes prove. 
The truth of what the wise have read before 

I saw the light. Then find me truest man 
Whose soul is pure, whose loyal heart's best lore 

Is love, and love, and love, so let me scan 
His virtues o'er, and if he please me then, 
I may relent ; say " Now," should he ask : " When?" 



47 



TUN' \'Ai.i".i)uric>N. 

Oil cw (if h.itlli^ oft a youlhlul knii;ht 

W'oulil t.ikc oil l)riuU'(l kiux" tlu' Imc-.uI ,iiul W'iiio, 

I'luis siH'kiii;'; lu'lp ,iinl ^;| i i'iii',1 h tiom l.o\i- ilixiiu' 
'\\^ tkiuiit K',';s nuHi his tors with hr.i\rnl\- luiiMil. 
I lu- iM>ilsiu-i-il oil th\' hps iMi'w s.uiid rilr. 

1 ast r\ o w hi-n prisoiu-il in tli\' li.iiul kiy niiiu^ ; 

A s,u r.mu'iil.il hoI\- hopr lo shiiu" 
rhnni;;h liouliK'd hours ol son o\\ 's d.iikt'st nii;hl ; 
A shi'iuMh lor t.iiiiliiu' hcarl aiul ilioopiiu; souk 

W luMi throui^h a mist ot' siaiii' i(.-st taiuoil trars. 
Mine i-\ is ImiI dan'il to sMaiUi- toward lutuir i;oak 

So lh\' woiils niu'll nw iK>ul)ts aiul looHsh iiMis, 
Aiul lu'lp mo l>ia\oI\- l.u-o iii\- liatlK- lu'Kk 
riial with l ioiks i'laco ma\' stainless kuircls \iokl. 



48 



A WISH. 

In w.ilc'liiii!.; llic<', dcir I'liciid, I <|iii( l.l\' liiid 

VVIiat move;, lliii' niii'.l llic I'lic.l p.illi ., llir :.c;i, 
I >lii(- ;iii(l 1)1 iiiikIIc'.', in il ', nnnn n.il)' ; 

Sw'cc! ill) in in;', ( ,11 IciK (■; I li.il ( li.n in I In- nnm I ; 

All n.itiiK', .111, willi l)c.iiily i.irc ( < inihincd, 
I' illin;; I lie w < >i li I in w idr diver. il)' ; 
All I ,ili-nl , |,;cniii., I.iil li, and | unit \' ; 

All Innn.in :,\'ni| i.il liii-, lli.il suMly wind 

'I'licniscI vrs al)( iiii llic Iccliii;'^ Inail, wlnii llic.c 
1)1 in!', '. will l)ii;;lil Icais nnlo lliim- caiiK,! eyes, 
I Inn (or lli)' di-ar ;,al-.c, Lovr, lain vvoidd I Ix- 

l'"airc-:.l <>( Ixanl ic,, :,\vccl c:,! ol niclodic,, 
j'nrcsl ()( pnic, niD.l learned 'mid the wise 
So I loo nn'.'lil l)e |)li-aMnc inilolliee. 



49 



10 NON POSSO! 

And wouldst thou have me close Love's lesson learnt 
By thy sweet self, with my heart's sickle glean 
Fresh harvests from fair fields of Love, so wean 

My soul from thine? Can we unsay words said, 

Forget sweet spell of voice and touch, or tread 
At will beneath irreverent feet, Love's sheen 
That crowns men gods the earthly worms between, 

And play while living that we both are dead ? 

No, — no — the tome we scanned together lies 
Still open, see my hand rests on the page 
That taught me how to love thee ; Time and Age 

Will fail to steal that truth from heart and eyes. 

Ah ! just the trying to unlearn Love's lore 

But teaches me to love thee more and more. 



50 



THE MOON AND THE SEA. 

We sat together watching the glorious scene : 
No sound disturbed the stillness round us save 
When broke against the sand a crested wave ; 

A great white moon from snowy clouds serene 

Smiled calmly down like ivory-throned queen. 

The listening spray-gemmed grasses heard us rave 
O'er this one perfect night. Then growing grave 

We spoke of absent friends, while silver sheen 

Tipping the billows lay like shining band, 
A pathway to some hidden mystery, 

A road inviting us to fairy land. 

Yet our hearts' secrets still stayed under key, 

And if each longed to touch the other's hand, 
'T was only known to Moon and sobbing Sea. 



51 



)1'..\T,()USY. 

Swifli'i- 111, 111 lip;lilniiir;--ll.isli steals jt-alcMisy, 

'I'd (l()iil)liii;; lu'.nls, lli.il tioiihUd wildly l)i'at, 
( "onsiiuiiil with a more than lever's Ju-at. 

Si diiliiiu', liesli lui|)i'.-;, iK>strc))'inj;" constancy, 

( 'tiiijui ill;'. (U\ ils out ol laiitasy, 

Who oiui' admittid to tlir heart's retreat 
Will i>iin-sl, stioii!H-.st tiiisl ami laith unseat, 

(ii\iiu;' hell's pain lor heaxi'ii's i-estas)', 

'I'urnin^ io\'e's lU'iiar into hitiiij; j'.all, 

I )immin;'; kei'ii si;',ht with loiil ami poisoned mist, 
(,',111 we, () lat,il powii, tli\' spells resist ? 

()r must w f, lo\ in;;, li\e to be thy thrall ? 

Not il we \ali.iiit at the outset ]tr(n'e, 

.\iul lirml\- tread tode.ith In.'. I dt)ubt ol lo\'o. 




5" 



LOSS OR GAIN. 

7\.s Kvc when yicldiii;; lo In r ;,lr(»ii:', desire, 

I'oiiikI ill llie joy loihiddeii fniil li.id lirmi'dil 
More ill. Ill Ikt .ii'deiil dreams had ever soii;dil, 

lint wilh it, iiieiiaccd death and sword of lire, 

ShiiL ^alcs of luU;n, and the Master's in: ; 

So when k)vc's lemptiii;; fruit my fancy tanjdit, 
lis laslc ])roved hit ler-svvcc.-l, its ]-.nowIc:(l''_e fraujdiL 

With lender pain. I.ifc seems an un:,l rim;', I>'re, 
'lliou^h new rare Jiarmoiiies invited nie 
'I'o " set my soiil unto a .sweeter hey," 

In one sad hour I l-:new vvh.at 1 mi(.dit h)se. 
As learnin!^" wh.it it w.is to love. ( ) p.iin ! 

■O ecsta.sy ! ht:tvveen liow dai-t- 1 choose? 

O love ! whieJi dost thou hrinv me — hjss or j'.iin ? 



53 



MlSl'Nl)I-.USr.\Ni)IN(iS. 
\\'\\y mii'.l tlicic Itc Ititwcfii lis iiullcss iliiikI 

( )| |,ll '. .Mill I I I I '., W ll\ W ,11)1 1 111 U .I'.t I- (i| W ll 

And criss-rioss fire »>! woids tli.il '.li.iiplN hit 

To liMV'c Ix'luilil ,1 lilllc Mil.illill;; Wtvilild? 
Why I .111 w r iu'\'(i iiiiil (Ml rtiiimitMi ;'i<>iiii(l ? 

Al.uk ! I he \ .mil \ I'i w i.hiii;; it. 

.A woiil 111 M> .mil then <iiii ludws .lie kiiit ; 
The hitc. itimUiiic tti th.i;; (Hir 1 1 iu'i'-ll.i;;s ihiwn. 
Siisi>uioii hkc .'.1\' spiihi siilttly wiMVi'S 

A \\i I) (il (huihts oiii \iiy liiitlis to taiii'lr, 

.And ho|>f''; .swccl soil;;-; .is (hstords niih'ly i.iiiidc, 
W lull' si»rni!''s luids in oiii h.iiids scciii hut ili-.id Icivcs, 
.And iiic.iiiiii;',s Liisc !;ro\\ out ol wonh look, toiii h. 
.Ml \\\w ? I'cn li.iiu f hcr.iusc wi- lo\r too mm li. 



5 1 



A VALENTINE. 

Ah ! couldst thou rcul the truth writ in mine eyes 

Gazin<^' in thine, thou vvouldst find vvaitiny; there 

A wilhng answer to thine every prayer. 
lUit not by words canst thou this trutli surprise ; 
In love, a lie to honest lips will rise 

That else would scorn untruth ; we women dare 

To temi)t the Deil himself, lest unaware 
The world should know whose love we most would prize. 
So in my heart, stored silently, I keep 

What thou wouldst fain have whispered thee I trow. 

But till thou pass thy Rubicon and vow 
In tender tones thy faith in me, asleep 

My passion lies ; not shall this lay be reatl 

Till thou hast "yea " for every " nay" I said. 



55 



BLIND! 

The delving mole beneath the ploughed field ; 
The sightless beggar that betimes we meet, 
Doffing a rimless hat for pence in street ; 

The scoffing sinner that will gladly yield 

To each temptation, using strength as shield 
For further vices, — these will never greet 
God's light, feeling but dust about their feet, 

Blind to the glory dropt from hands that wield 
Sunbeams as well as thunder-bolts. Alas! 

Blind as these are. Beloved, thou art more ; 

Thine earnest eyes scanned rightly all before ; 
But now like shadow silent I must pass 

Out of thy reach, and thou wilt never know 

I might have been thy joy, 'stead thou my woe ! 



56 



ON THE THRESHOLD. 

And dost thou wonder wjiy I cannot speak — 

Or why my bearing seems constrained and cold ? 
Wouldst have me overstep reserve, unfold 
A budding love? Alas! our hearts are weak, 
We women dare not meet the love we seek ; 
Lest all our longing make us over-bold, 
And in too swift surrender lose the hold 
O'er souls we love. So silent still and meek. 
True to my maidenhood I stand and wait 
For thee to come to me, nor dare advance 
One single step, nor lift my downcast glance, 
Fearing my eyes might love's disguise translate. 
The space between us, thou must tread alone — 
My heart comes not to thee as gift, but won. 



57 



UNWORTHY. 

I am not worthy, e'en to lift mine eyes 

Unto thy honest face, and all thy praise 

As condemnation falls on me ; thy gaze 
So keen and true would sadden with surprise 
If read my soul ; for thoughts thou wouldst despise 
I 've thought, done deeds thou'lt scorn, trod dangerous ways, 

Through life's mire oft forgetting robe to raise. 
Let small sins stick to me like burrs, yet lies 

I too have scorned, so cannot win thy trust 

Through seeming truer than I am, and must 
Confess my faults, asking for pardon still. 

Hoping thou wilt yet say to me : " Dear friend, 
I love thee as thou art for good and ill." 

Then^shall my heart be thine until life end. 



58 




■-=-/^^ 



i 



i 



.iii 



M k'*' 






r^^-^ 



"Life, solemn riddle of grim Sphinx Time." 



59 



LIFE. 

Life, solemn riddle of the grim sphinx Time, 

Thrust on us toiling o'er the world's rough ground, 
Where can a wandering CEdipus be found, 
To solve thy eternal mystery sublime ? 
Death's key but opes the gate to fairer clime 
Where, beatified by angelic sight and sound, 
Life melts into the Light and Love around 
The heavenly throne — is changed by death's rude rhyme 
Not solved. . , . But Love, that, like the magic Flute 
Of old, bears souls safe through temptation's fire 
Despair's deep flood, or like brave Orpheus' lute 
Redeems from hell of hate ; Love may aspire 
To be our Qidipus and tell us why 
We live our little life, and how to die ! 



60 



, IN TRINITY. 

I. 

TO THE REV. M***** D**. 

Preacher ! thy words fall on the listening crowds 
Like rain on thirsty soil — thou sowest seed 
For future crop of goodly thought and deed. 
Fearless and wise, as if with power endowed 
From heaven itself, thou standest proven, vowed 
Truth's champion ; daily teaching purest creed,. 
The love of God and man ; and all in need, 
The wretched, wicked, independent proud. 
With all their sins and sorrows, wants and pride. 
Thou showest Christ, to help and healing find. 
O Teacher ! ears to deaf, and eyes to blind. 
Art thou, with great calm soul, heart open wide 
To suffering. Seeking through life no praise, 
'T is thine unto our children's children's days. 
6i 



II. 

TO THE REV. M***** D**. 

Upon thy altar, o'er thy vestments white, 

Through stained glass, the sunshine streams in flood 
Of gold and purple — there thou silent stood, 
(Ere Bread and Wine with Holiest unite 
By God's great grace, finite to infinite. 

This sacred mystery of His Flesh and Blood, 
Our soul's sure strength, our spirit's blessed food,) 
Like imaged saint before the holy rite. 
Haloed by God's own light, as if His love 
Clung closely round thy high pure life, to prove 
Thee chosen for His work, and His alone. 
O ! joy of watching such a life as thine, 
Where truth and earnestness great good have done. 
And will do still through influence divine. 



62 



ON ! ON ! 

(Suggested by a sermon preached by the Rev. (i * "w * D * * * * * *.) 

On with the great work, on ! 'T is Time that whips 
This world-top spinning through eternal space. 
Awake ye to its hum. Up — up — embrace 
Work fittest for ye — ere weird sister clips 
Your life's light thread, or precious love-cup slips 

Through hands, untasted, spilt ere drunk. May grace 
From heaven help ye find your work apace. 
If death stays eager hands and feet, numbs lips 
Ere all be done, ye have not failed e'en then, 
God takes the noble work begun, in time 
He turns the halting verse to tuneful rhyme. 
Your incompleteness will through later men 
Become perfected. Pass the standard on ! 
Our aims still live, tho' we fall one by one. 



63 



CRUCIFIED! 

Crucified ! yea Lord, this bitter sin and shame 

Is ours eternally — for we denied 

Thee Prophet, Priest, and King, Saviour who died 
So we should live — our souls must bear the blame 
That sacrified is linked to Holiest name, 

By Angel tongues now ever magnified. 

Though the sad knowledge of Thy pierced side, 
Thorn-crowned Head, can contrite sorrow claim, 
Yet stays it nor one sinful act nor thought. 
O ! guilty souls forgetting price that bought 
Their ransom — Christ ! how infinite Thy love 

That daily seeks our errors, sins to hide, 
Till humbled hearts, at last, repentant prove 

Though tender mercy — O ! Thou Crucified ! 



64 



EASTER-TIDE. 

After the cruel nails and crown of thorn, 
The shining garb and diadem of light ; 
After the Friday's gloom and bitter night, 

The blessed peace of that first Easter-morn. 

After His sinless death, our peace was born. 
After the daily struggles for the right, 
Against fierce passions armed with devil's might ; 

After the partings when the heart is torn 

With agony almost too great to bear ; 

After the yearning for what cannot be, 

With faint faith wrestling 'gainst a mute despair ; 
After long waitings here at last we see, 

Out of our woes and passions crucified, 

Dawning for us a glorious Easter-tide. 



65 



rix\:.\vi! 



vXbovc 111!.' (.MI \ rn RcMc-iK^s morose 

The stainC'il w iiulows. w licro the A[>osllos' i^rcct 

riir o\c in rohos o\ \Miicil colors moii. 
In midst our S.uiour stands, th' oli^-tn.il woes 
( ")f all huin.inil\- aioiuul llim oloso. 

rit\' di\iiu', shint.-s ftoni 1 1 is looks icitlclc 

W ith lo\c, boin of a saciil'icc coni[ilctc, 
I.o\o. connucrini;" sin. o'ciconiini;" sharp tloath's throes. 
The anthcni swolls, tlio ori;an's rich notes ring 

ThrouL^hont the jgrand old chnreh. See, swift a bird 
I'lits In" the window on wide-stietehed wini;", 
riuouidi hendini; Itr.inehes .uiil le.ives. the bree/.ehas stirred. 
The son^slci's shadow .uul the waving" green 
Are 'gainst the tinted glass beneath C^hrist seen. 

00 



11. 

Swifter than sparrow's nii;ht, my sore sins pass 
Before my saiUlened gaze ; they seem to reach 
From infancN' to tiiese hist days, and teach 

A lesson inUo c.irlhlx" piitle alas ! 

'riu'ir length)' nnmhcrs dusk the glowing" glass, 
And contrite humbleness in silence preach, 
O sick and hungering soul ! the Holy Leech 

Who fed the wearied thousands on the grass 

Ak>ne can satisf\-th}' longings wikl, 

J>lot (Hit the memories of thy sins and pains. 

Methinks 1 hear the tentler wonls : " My child, 
(uve me th\' heart." i\nd haste to hi}' ni}' stains 

(^f heart and send, and errors deemed sweet, 

In trembling hope and love at Christ's pure feet. 



67 







In Tiinilv. 



68 



REST. 

O Angel! miscalled of darkness, in thy flight 
Pause near my threshold, spread thy pinions o'er 
My drooping head. I need thy mercies sore. 
Thou art to me as distant friendly light 
Hailed on a pitchy night's lone tramp, and white 
Thy dusky garments gleam to me from shore 
Of untried waters, which o'ertake all lore, — 
All love, — all life at last. Angel of might, 
Surer than hope, as strong as faith and love. 

Come to me. Joy's goblet through weak fingers slips ; 
Lay thy cool touch upon my fevered lips ; 
Let thy soft shadow my sweet solace prove ; 
Oh ! let me lay my head upon thy breast ; 
Wearied, I long for thee, Angel of Rest. 



69 



Ne'er ask me to be mirthful and then rhyme, 
The pearls of song drop not from lips the time 

They jest. 
As bird with seared eye and clipped wing 
Finds sweeter note — so we through suffering 

Sing best. 



71 



SONG. 

The clouds are drifting, 
The sunhght sifting 

Adown between. 
The birches quiver 
Beside the river, 

Silvery green. 

The West is burning, 
In silence turning 

The skies red-gold ; 
The river catches 
The glowing patches 

On ripples cold. 

The birds cease winging, 
And close their singing 
Fast one by one. 

73 



Sweet chirps betraying, 
Each songster sa}'ing 
His orison. 

The dews are falhng ; 
The zephyrs caUing 

To flowers, good-night ; 
The frogs 'gin croaking 
As if evoking 

Famihar sprite. 

The twihght 's creeping 
O'er blue hills sleeping ; 

The birds are dumb ; 
The stars are sighting^ 
The glow-worms lighting 

Their lamps. — Night 's come. 



74 



HERALDS. 

All works of God his heralds arc 
To other acts more rare, so came 

Creation's darkness to first star 
As herald. What we chaos name 

Turned Nature's order in all things 
So chrysalis heralds liutterfly, 
And nightingale sweet melody. 

So winters heralds are to springs, 

And herald, weary worldly strife 
To future peace and sins forgiven. 

While death still heralds newer life, 
And love — is herald but to heaven ! 



75 




^ 



DEATH'S SIMILITUDES. 



Death — is like a chrysalis, 
I'^'oin which white and soft, 
Butterflies will soar aloft 

As souls to bliss. 
76 



Death — is like the winter long, 
Wlierc, from silence cold, 
Beauteous tints and sccnte unfold^ 
And bursts oi song. 

Death — is like a prison grim, 
Where from want and night 
Souls escape to joy and light 

When freed by Him ! 



77 



TO KATE. 

And thou wouldst have thy fortune told, 

To learn thy future fate — 
Wouldst see thy budding life unfold, 

My bonnie, brown-eyed Kate ! 

To read thy destiny aright, 

To fix each distant date, 
Is out of reach of human might. 

My bonnie, brown-eyed Kate ! 

But as from bud we guess the flower, 

Tho' it may blossom late, 
As threatening clouds foretell the showers, 

My bonnie, brown-eyed Kate, 

.So in thy earnest, loving eyes 
J read thy future fate. 
78 



A woman's weal before thee lies, 
My bonnie, brown-eyed Kate. 

I know not if thy love through life 
Will seek an earthly mate ; 

But battling with the daily strife, 
My bonnie, brown-eyed Kate, 

Thy faith and trust in God will prove 
A shield 'gainst every fate. 

And sanctify thy woman's love. 
My bonnie brown-eyed Kate ! 



79 



NOT LOST. 

Ave the colors lost from the glowini^ skies 

When the sunset fades and the daylight dies? 

And the licjuid tones from the wild bird's throat, 

Are they lost as through twilight's hush they float? 

And the loving thoughts in hearts of gold, 

Are they lost when mixed with ehurch}-ard mould? 

7\11 the earth's best tints gleam on angel's wing, 

All the sweetest music the angels sing. 

All the love wc prized and lost shall arise 

To give us fair welcome in Paradise. 



80 



FLOWERS AND 1<ACE. 

Face, fcvcr-flushcd, flowers, fresh and sweet, 
•On restless pillow meet and ^nx-et ; 
Fair tulip, rose of daintiest hue, 
White lily-bells and violets blue 

Are softly prest 
To burninf,r lips and throbbini;- breast. 

Tlie flowers radiant in their bloom 
Watched lovin<,dy in shaded room ; 
Now touched at dawn by glorious beam, 
The beauteous blossoms golden gleam ; 
Now on the wall 
Their shadows through the twilight fall. 

The face revives — the flowers fade. 
But purest breath and tender shade 
Of lily, rose, and violet 
In grateful heart are living yet ; 

There fresh they lie 
Scents sweeter, blooms of deeper dye. 



Si 



DESERTED. 

On yonder hillside stands a house forlorn ; 

The moss is creeping o'er its leaning door; 
The feet of those who 'neath its roof were born 

Will cross its crumbling threshold nevermore. 
Forsaken — left a prey to sleet and rain, 

Without a lingering trace to show that love 
Once filled its walls with life and joy and pain ; 

Now wintry winds at will throughout it rove. 
That doomed house abandoned to decay, 

Deserted is — but by mankind alone — 
For till it fall the setting sun's bright ray 

Will redden o'er the last gray, mouldering stone. 
The dawn will steal through every rusty hinge. 

And fill each empty room with golden light, 
The noonday beams the stained walls will tinge 

As when of yore they gladdened human sight. 
So, lonely heart of sympathy bereft. 

When loosed are all the ties thou prizest most,. 
82 



And tenantless of others' love thou 'rt left 
Forlornly seeking to revive the lost : 

Then will God's light, blest sunshine of the soul,. 
Illume thy darkness with its blaze divine, 

Fill all thine emptiness, and make thee whole. 
Deserted ? ne'er by One, O ! heart of mine ! 



83 



TO 

Dearest, my thoughts, tried by Love's fire, 

Rising on pinions of purity, 
(These wishes winged with deep desire,) 

From my soul's windows fair and free, 
Gladly I fling to thee. 

My wandering thoughts like white-winged doves 

Will steal unto thy snowy breast ; 
And in thy heart, which 'neath it moves. 

These weary ones shall seek a rest 

To find how they are blest. 

Saying: 'Mid flowers of womanhood 

Thou art to me like sweetest rose. 
Through which fair leaves, the heart's best blood 

Daily in tenderest beauty glows. 

And round a fragrance throws. 

And softly whisper there to thee, 

(Nested so warm in safe retreat,) 
.More than most women thou art to me — 

As such, O ! I will hold thee sweet 

As long as heart can beat. 



A CHILD'S FATTII. 

(a true incidp:nt.) 

Along the dusty highways 

Beside our weary feet, 
Springs many a tender blossom 

With fragrance pure and sweet. 

Amid life's bitter battle, 
As stumbling on we tread, 

Sweet children's tones are ringing 
Beside our many dead. 

And when our hearts are fainting 
With doubting, dreary sorrow, 

A child's faith can restore us 
To trust in God's to-morrow. 



85 



A sweet child's voice has ended 

Its simple even prayer, 
And gladly on the pillow, 

Rests soft, dark, shining hair. 

One little hand still clasping 
Some faded flowers wild, 

Which vainly seeks the mother 
To take from tired child. 

These flowers, the first she ever 
Had plucked this joyous spring; 

So grasps her precious treasures, 
Counts each a priceless thing. 

" To-morrow they '11 be withered," 
Thus spoke the elders wise ; 

" No, no, they '11 bloom to-morrow," 
With faith the child replies. 

The eyelids fast are closing, 
The little head doth rest. 

Then from the loosened fingers, 
Fall the flowers from her breast. 
86 



Not to mar the pleasant fancy, 
While she dreams of fairy-lands ; 

They place at morn fresh blossoms 
Within the tiny hands. 

She wakes, and joyous kissing 
Her treasures, softly said: 
" I knew dear God was loving, 

See — my flowers are not dead."" 

Ah ! when our hopes fade by us,. 

May we in faith and love, 
But fold our hands and whisper :. 
" We '11 find them fair above.'" 



87 



SOMETIMES. 



(in answer to " ALWAYS," BY L. S.) 

("Always the beginning anew, 

Always the good resolve 

When the day is done, the week's close come. 
And the month and the year are through. 
-Always the ending in sorrow, 

Always the failure to do, 

When the night is come, the mid week done, 
And the month and year's to-morrow.") 



Sometimes a new beginning, 

Sometimes a fresh resolve, 

A soul will save, when a heart is brave, 
And end in a glorious winning. 

Sometimes a lofty thought 

Sown in a dreaming hour, 

In fruitful soil, will with earnest toil 
To noblest deed be wrought. 



Sometimes a gentle word 

Brightens a burdened breast, 

And a prayer that 's sent from a heart that 's rent 
Sometimes in heaven is heard. 

Sometimes we meet with friends 
Who are to the heart's core true, 
Whose love we trust, which old Time's rust 

Don't dim till Eternity ends. 



CATHERINE'S VIOLET. 

Through a wood the Czar * was walking. 
Resting from the cares of State, 

And the sweet breeze by him blowing 
Whispered not his coming fate. 

All was peace around and stillness, 
Here the heart could care forget, 

Till a sound his step arrested, 
And an armed man he met. 

Not a spy, a false-faced traitor, 

But a soldier, tried and true, 
Slowly in that wood was pacing, 

Seeing who was passing through 

Stopped, presented arms ; the Emperor, 
Wondering, asked how came he there. 



* The late Emperor of Russia, 

9° 



*' Sire," the soldier said, " as sentry 
I 'm on duty always here, 

Why, I know not." Still bewildered 
To his nobles turned the Czar. 

*' Why should this one spot be guarded ? 
Rarely wander we so far. 

What mysterious, hidden danger 
Lurks among these kingly trees? 

Who has placed this watch and sentry ? " 
But in vain he asked of these. 

Vainly asked of gray-haired general, 

" 'T was an order old — it read — 
* That the place should well be guarded,* 
Wherefore, none could tell," he said. 

Then most curious to discover 
Whither came this order strange. 

Back through many a record musty 
Eager eyes the pages range. 

91 



Back, until the days of Catherine,* 
Where with reason why revealed. 

Stood the order for the sentry, 

Which ne'er since had been repealed^ 

Not for fear of bitter vengeance, 

Not to shield the royal head, 
Did the haughty Empress order 

Soldier through that path should tread. 

But it chanced one early spring-tide 
Wandering through the quiet wood, 

Catherine spied a tiny violet 
Throwing off its snowy hood. 

First fair blossom struggling upward 
From the darkness to the light, 

Through the snow its sweet face peering, 
One blue speck amid the white. 

May be that the little flower 

'Midst all round, fresh, undefiled. 



* Catherine II. of Russia — noted for her ambition and immorality. 

92 



Brought back days of innocency, 
With the memories of a child. 



Tears, perchance, may then have ghttered 
In those proud, imperial eyes, 

Jewels more precious than her treasury 
Could produce for kings to prize. 

For a passing shade had fallen 

O'er her spirit wild and free, 
As a sea-gull rising swiftly 

Casts a shadow on the sea. 

Still the feeling stayed no pleasure. 
Starved no sinful thought nor deed, 

Only tender impulse started, 
As we from that record read : 

" Sentry place before that blossom — 

Watch naught harm it," Catherine cried ; 
So a soldier gravely guarded 
Violet till it bloomed and died. 
93 



Whim forgotten by the Empress, 
Still, the' long the spring hath fled, 

Up and down that shaded pathway- 
Heavy feet in silence tread. 

Through long years the memory guarding 

Of one thought of purity, 
Sounded steps which tho' now ceasing, 

Echo to eternity. 



94 



FALL, O FLEECY FLAKES OF SNOW ! 

Fall, O fleecy flakes of snow ! 
Shroud the hills and meadows low ; 
Heed not earth's request. 
Pack it. 
Stack it 
High above her breast. 

Blow, O bitter driving sleet ! 
Let thy biting breath now beat 
Swift 'gainst nature's heart. 
Pain it. 
Strain it 
Till it rend apart. 

All in vain ye try your powers, 
Snow and wind feed nature's flowers, 
In her breast they keep. 
Bare it. 
Tear it, 
.Still they safely sleep. 
95 



All the ills of winter cherish 
Germ and seed, that else would perish 
In its earthly tomb. 

Teach it, 
Preach it. 
Lesson learnt from nature's bloom. 

When anew is born the spring. 
Nature breathes a living thing ; 
Dons a radiant dress. 

Bears it, 
Wears it 
For the world to bless. 



«- 



Fall, O blinding, scalding tears ! 
Let thy drops, like iron that sears,. 
Fall on woman's check. 
Stain it. 
Pain it. 
Weary, she is weak. 
96 



Blow, " misfortune's bitter blast ! " 
Blot out joys, let sorrows last ; 
Pierce to woman's heart. 
Slight it, 
Blight it, 
Crush with all thine art. 



Vainly 'gainst the shield of prayer- 
Strive the demons of despair, 
In the woman's breast. 
Fills it. 
Stills it. 
Love, with peace and rest. 



Pain each woman must endure; 
To the faithful and the pure 
Grief is often given. 

Take it. 
Make it 
Welcome as from heaven. 
97 



Wintry storms of woe but prove 
Faith can feed the flowers of love 
In the lonehest soul. 

Brings them, 
FHngs them 
Free from pole to pole. 



r>8 



SEAFIHLD. 

vSunshine and goldcnrod, blue skies, salt air, 

iTIastic daisies enamelling the lea ; 

A happy influence of a presence rare. 

Trilling the house with gracious courtesy. 

In joyful cadence children's voices sweet, 

iicho with patter of fine flitting feet — 

Zoved memories lingering nigh one empty chair. 

Z>ear Scafield, love breathes round thee everywhere. 



99 




A violet 'mid the moss 

In shadow of a bold rock grew, 

Where silver brooklets cross 

The tangled mountain woodland through. 



WAITING. 

A violet 'mid the moss 

In shadow of a bold rock grew, 
Where silver brooklets cross 

The tangled mountain woodland through. 
Its dainty beauty won 

From evening breeze a soft caress, 
But ne'er a sunbeam shone 

Upon its modest loveliness. 

It watched the golden light 

Quivering o'er the brooklet's brim, 
Flickering fast and bright, 

Through greenest shade of leafy limb. 
" O ! Could it reach but me " — 

So thought the loving, longing flower — 
" How blest my heart would be 

Beneath its subtle warmth and power!" 

lOI 



Hut still the sweet rays danced 

Above, beyond the violet, 
Till one day lo ! it chanced. 

While gazing up with blue eyes wet, 
The sullen rock behind 

lirought answer to the floweret fair, 
That trembling starts to find 

The reason for its darkness there. 



The rock — O ! saddest thought. 

Keeps far from it the glorious beams. 
Now life is only fraught 

With one desire ; day, night it dreams 
How bright its life ctnild be, 

If but that rock were gone for aye. 
Ah ! stern seems fate's decree — 

The summer's beauty fades away, 

The llower in shadow still 

Is waiting for the light in vain — 

]Uit muttering o'er the hill. 

There comes a mighty wind with rain. 

I02 



The mountain streamlet grows 

A raging torrent, fierce and strong. 

That swallows as it goes 

The bloon»ing banks its side along — 

And now is reached the rock — 



Ah ! violet, thou hast thy will ! 
The great stone sways — a shock-^ 

It falls upon the flower still — - 
The storm is o'er — the sun 

Now smiling to the torrent hies. 
Whose gleaming waters run 

O'er rock 'neath which a violet lies ! 



103 



INDIAN LULLABY. 

Sleep, my babe ! the heavy loon 
Shrilly calls his wounded mate, — 
(Friends we love and foes we hate.) — 
See the slowly rising moon 

Ripples clean. 
In silver sheen 
The red stains off the lake's dark breast, 
That dying sun shed in the west. 

Sleep, my babe ! the black bear creeps 
Through tangled boughs, disconsolate,- 
(Friends we love and foes we hate.) — 
Snuffs for berries red. Who peeps 

The stump around ? 
Not faintest sound 
Betrays the squirrel and chipmunk small 
Lest they by Bruin's sharp claws fall. 

Sleep, my babe ! beside the brink 
Of marshy stream the stag so late — 
(Friends we love and foes we hate.) — 

104 



Stoops his antler'd front to drink ; 
Crops lilies low 
That silent grow, 

Silver and gold, lovely and sweet, 

Within the waters cool and fleet 

Sleep, my babe ! the stars shine clear — 
Frozen tears of those who wait, — 
(Friends we love and foes we hate.) — 
Wait for us still lingering here ; 

Their watchful eyes. 
Behind the skies, 
Shed drops of pity like the dew, 
And pierce not pass heaven's cold, cold blue. 

Sleep, my babe, till he has come ; 
He thy sire, my lord and fate, — 
(Friends we love and foes we hate.) — 
Bearing burdens glad and dumb ; 
I then follow 
Through the hollow. 
O'er mount, through brake, till he think best 
For wife and babe to sleep and rest. 

IOC 



ST. VALENTINE'S SONG. 

I 'm a poor old Saint, ah ! seldom now used, 
Saved by sad, sighing swains, and sorely abused ; 
And linked with my name is a heathenish boy's, 
Who flutters fair hearts with his barbed toys — 

With his barbed toys. 

Though once somewhat known, now never a thought 
Is given to me till valentines, bought 
For the sake of that heathenish boy, recall 
There is such a saint, alack ! that is all ! 
But the boy with his wiles and winning ways, 
Still lords it with joy through the year's best days — 
Through the year's best days. 

They had better by far be praying to me 
Than wasting sweet words on that heathenish he, 
Whose smiles are as false as his heart is cold. 
Who delights in beguiling the youthful and old ; 
Like the tints of the rainbow, the breath of the rose, 
He shines and delights, then away he goes — 
Then away he goes. 
io6 



TO W. W. M. 

baby ! bonnie baby ! so far across the sea, 

-An Adirondack maiden sends out her heart to thee. 

1 love thee, Httle laddie, and fain would call thee mine, 
Say, wilt thou for this once be my dearest Valentine ? 
To claim thee altogether is far from my request, 
Thou art too precious, birdie, to leave thy happy nest ; 
So many hearts are linked to that small one of thine, 

O ! they would never spare thee for a life-long Valentine ! 
But I am gently pleading for only one short year 
In which to call thee mine, sweet, and love thee, baby dear ; 
And though between us, little one, the ocean still may roll, 
r 11 love thee, pretty Valentine, with all my heart and soul ; 
For time and space existeth not for lovers true of heart, 
Our souls can close communion hold, tho' we be far apart. 
What treasures shall I offer thee, O ! bonnie baby bright ? 
What trophies shall I tender to my tiny trusty knight ? 
No garlands made of costly blooms, or gleaming jewels rare, 

107 



Nor satin dress nor cap I '11 send to deck this baby fair ; 

But the sweetest forest blossom that rears its dainty head 

At the foot of spruce or pine in a shady mossy bed, 

Shall bear my love a greeting with breath of evening breeze,. 

That, sighing o'er the mountains, kissed all our forest trees. 

My little love so holy ! thy faults are soon forgiven, 

Thy sins have hardly yet had time to grow since leaving 

heaven. 
My little love so mighty! tho' no down is on thy cheek, 
Thou gainest battles royally, thou 'rt strong since thou art 

weak. 
My Httle love so honest ! What bill he ever misses? 
For all the love-debts that thou owest, are paid in dewy 

kisses. 
May love and joy surround thee through all the coming years, 
May trials be few that wait thee, and fewer still thy tears. 
And be thou ever brave, love, and conquer in the fight. 
This life 's a battle, baby— be thou a valiant knight. 
And when thou 'rt grown, my little one, and hast a Valentine,, 
O ! may her heart and thine, sweet, be pure, as now is thine ; 
For love may blossom, baby, but it never will endure 
In any heart however warm unless the soil be pure. 



1 08 



RAQUETTE. 

Proud forcst-i^ardlcd Queen of Lakes, 
Hill {guarded with blue peak beyond, 
Where Towaloonda, firm and fond, 

As sentry stands — sweet echo wakes 
The sleeping sprites. 
Haunting thy pines on eerie nights. 

Art best when summer's merry smile 
Greens ash, bireh, maple, or is seen 
Basking content in golden sheen 

Upon thy bosom blue awhile? 
Or when her sighs 
Warm moonlit eves as daylight dies? 

Or can one love thee more when frost 
'Mid firs fast mixes red and gold — 
Bright forest jewels set in bold 
109 



Dark frame, — and autumn's winds have tost 
Thy calms to waves, 
And pine the paths with needles paves ? 

Or when, as winter's bride — all white — 
Robing thyself for his embrace, 
A thousand sparkling diamonds grace 

Thy ice-fringed shores, and branches slight 

To giants grow 

Beneath their feathery load of snow ? 

All seasons crown thee with a crown 
Of thine own making, ever drest 
In native beauty, ever best 

Beneath God's skies smile they or frown, 
While eyes may scan 
His works still unprofaned by man. 

Around thy varied isles we float. 
In bay or inlet, sigh or sing, 
Cull lilies white (see ! to them cling 

"Thy shining tears gemming the boat) — 
Mid morn's blue mist, 
Or when thy ripples stars have kist. 



Here in thy depths, O Lethean Lake ! 

We drop our griefs, our vain regret ; 

Earth's sins and ills for once forget ; 
As from an evil dream we wake 

Tasting health's sweetness, 

Learning at last all life's completeness. 

Raquette ! here would I live and die ; 
Here pluck life's bitter-sweet called Love, 
And all its joy and sadness prove — 

Then close my tired eyes and lie 
Gladly at rest, 
Beside the beatings of thy broad blue breast. 



THE STARS ARE THE KEYHOLES OF HEAVEN, 
AND THE ANGELS KEEP THE KEYS." 

(This was said one night by little Birdie L., when only four years old.) 

"The stars are the keyholes of heaven, 

And the angels keep the keys." 
To the children such knowledge is given 

Of the sacred mysteries. 

To their white souls sinless the voices 

Of guardian spirits may preach, 
And a little child's pure heart rejoices 

In bliss we vainly would reach. 

" The stars are the keyholes of heaven, 

And the angels keep the keys." 
If our passionate hearts we have riven, 

Shall we rise from bended knees, 

112 



And feel ourselves ready and sliriven, 
With the pardoned to enter the gate 

That opens to all who have striven, 
Be they coming early — late ? 

" The stars are the keyholes of heaven, 
And the angels keep the keys." 

But we must e'en with sins forgiven, 
Enter as children to these. 



113 



THE POET'S ANSWER. 

" Where, Poet, is thy kingdom, pray, 

And where thy home, where blooms thy flower? 
Since o'er mankind we hold our sway. 

And all must bow beneath our power." 

Thus scornfully spoke base fashion's god. 
That three-necked monster, triple-crowned 

With wealth, and might, and rank, whose nod 
Makes nations cower to the ground. 

The Poet back this answer hurled : 

" In thy dull life I take no part ; 
For art and nature form my world, 

My home is in the human heart." 



114 



HANDS CLASPED IN PRAYER. 

Hands clasped in prayer, 

Not slender and fair, 

But wrinkled and brown 
With stains of the ground 

Still lingering there. 

Head bending in prayer, 

Not bonneted — bare, 

With locks gray and tost, 
Face wearied and crost 

With deep lines of care. 

Heart pleading in prayer 

For help in despair ; 

Soul seeking some light 
Through poverty's night. 

And gloom everywhere. 

Faith winging this prayer 
Past words of the fair. 

The rich, and the great,. 

Past mockings of fate 
To our Father's ear. 
115 



OUR AUTUMN. 

The trees that nurtured in more temperate clime 

Than ours, bear fresh, fair leaves through summer days, 

Yet with the first cold blast decay and die, 

While ours to burning skies and biting winds 

Exposed, faint not at autumn's breath ; anew 

They blossom forth in glowing tints, their leaves 

Turned by a Midas' touch to gleaming gold. 

Or dyed with their heart's blood to burning red. 

Thus shielded souls live out their sweet green lives. 

Then fade and die, while men exposed to storms and heats 

Of earthly passions, those who struggling keep 

Faint hearts still pure by daily conquering self. 

Find in the autumn of sad years that trials 

Have glorified their souls, and thoughts and deeds^ 

Shine then till death in beauteous tints divine. 



ii6 



NEMESIS. 



(FAUST ON "WALPURGIS-NACHT.") 



Away ! these visions of the night, 

In mystic light 
FHt round my maddened brain in vain ; 

They never let 
A moment's peace fall o'er my aching 
pain, 

O ! Margaret ! 



Above demonian din of witch accurst, 
Thy voice as first 

It fell upon my raptured ear — ■ 

(O ! fret, soul, fret !)— 

Childlike, sweet, pure, again I 
hear, 

O ! Alarearet ! /^ 




117 



Is this thy form ? come nearer, phantom pale^ 

Unfold thy tale— 

Around my neck thy dear arms fling, 

As when we met 

Of yore. Still silent ? How thy garments cling,, 

O ! Marg-aret ! 



Thou weepest that ne'er more canst rest 

Upon my breast ? 

Into a sea of sin, deep, deep. 

Love's sun has set 

For aye. Still mine eyes dare not weep — 

O ! Margaret ! 



Come closer, Love — how cold thou art ! 

As my own heart. 
Be glad if death is drawing nigh; 

Thou canst forget 

Thy woes in heaven — in hell can I ?^ — - 

O! Margaret! 

ii8 



I did betray thy sweet love's trust, 

And tJiis sin's rust 

Eats through the strongest heart of steel, — 

This wild regret 

Thou canst not, sad one, ever feel. 

My Margaret ! 



Away ! ye cursed demons of despair 

Thronging the air; 

Around me night dews fall — O ! stay, 

Leave me not yet, 

Beloved ! — gone ! away — away — 

O! Margaret!. 



119 



HYGIEA. 

l^ived we in old pagan days, 

Goddess, I would kneel to thee, 
Hew thee altar of white stone, 

Chant with sweetest melody 
All thy worth in hymns of praise, 

'Neath thine image, holding grave, 
Snake and bowl, till one by one 

Mine thy gifts to heal and save. 

^sculapius' child or wife, 

Which it little matters now, 
Tho' thy simple worship's fled, 

Tho' none in thy temple bow. 
Still thy presence fair through life, 

Men seek eagerly, to gain 
Blessed strength, and have thee shed 

Easeful health o'er sickness' pain. 

I20 



Where, sweet goddess, hast thou flown ? 

O ! thy secret haunts to find ! 
Swiftly would my willing feet 

Seek thee with a humble mind. 
Hast thou long whiles left the town ? 

I, too, then the city fly ; 
Is the forest thy retreat ? 

Gladly to the pines I hie. 



BEYOND ! 

*' The darkest clouds have silver lining " 

Full well we know ; 

Beyond this earthly gloom is shining 

A heavenly glow. 

Our darkest trials have silver lining ; 

Our hard path trod, 
We see beyond our sorrows shining, 

The face of God ! 




Sweetheart, come, the mead 's agreen, 
The banks ablaze with cowslip bells, 
The brooklet chants through shaded dells, 

Songsters lurk 'ncath leafy screen — 

Let 's away to Acadie. 

Come, for foes here lose their might 

Where naught but peace and joy abound ; 
No hunters e'en dare tread this ground 

Save one wee winged, armed wight — 
So away to Acadie. 

Sweetheart, haste — lest mead be mown. 
And banks their golden bells have shed, 
And brooklet's voice be dumb and dead, 
The tall trees bare and songsters flown — 
Haste away to Acadie, 
123 



UNCERTAINTY. 

A long, low bar of golden light, 
A dewy freshness in the air. 
The twittering birds at matin prayer, 

And dawn has grown to daybreak bright. 

A long, low bar of golden light, 
A dewy freshness in the air, 
The twittering birds at even prayer, 

And twilight deepens into night. 

O ! Love, what means thy golden light, 
Does it foretell a sweet new day, 
Blessing my trusting soul for aye — 

Or will it leave me lost in night? 



124 



WHAT? 

The maid by lover kist, 
The artist in dawn's mist — 

Utter it gladly. 
The penitent in dust, 
The beggar o'er his crust, 

Mutter it sadly. 
The matron 'neath the trees. 
The sailor in the breeze, 

Singeth it brightly. 
The prisoner through his bars, 
The poet to his stars, 

Murmur it nightly. 



Sweet word — sad word — new yet old,. 
Shall thy name be lightly told ? 
Aye, and nay — whisper it low — 
Sweetheart, tJwii the word doth know. 



A LOVE. 

No ! I must love thee still, 

Tho' all the world should mock and scorn, 
Tho' heart be racked with pain, and torn 

With agony, for good or ill, 

I love thee still. 

E'en tho' sternest fate 

Take thee far, far beyond my reach, 
Beyond my sight, or sound of speech, 

Yet patiently without Love's gate 
Still I can wait. 

Tho' for my love the price 

Be peace of mind and fame and wealth, 
Or blissful joys from blessed health, 
I pay for the sweet sacrifice, 

It shall suffice. 
126 



No ! I must love thee still, 

Tho' lost thy love m losing thee, 
Mine is of use in proving thee 

My loyal faith no doubts can kill — 

So love thee still. 

Take thou with fond caress 

Another to thy honest heart, 

To be of thy life's joy a part, 
I will but stand aside and bless 

Thy happiness. 

Yet I could love thee best, 

Methinks, but not for me is such 

Great joy. How faint beneath thy touch 

I grow. O Love, but once to rest 

Upon thy breast ! 

Oh ! I must love thee still. 

My love from out the shadowed past 
Has grown my being's breath at last, 
So by a mightier than my will, 

I love thee still! 
127 



THOU AND I. 

" Come, Love, our longing hearts let 's haste to hide- 
In nature's gems, there lost to life abide." 

" Let 's be of rainbow arch in summer sky 
The brightest tints of all, Love, Thou and L" 

The sun through parting cloud sends radiant ray, 
And rainbow tints wax faint and fade away. 

" Let 's be the drops of honey, Thou and I, 
Which in wild blossoms' scented bosoms lie." 

The woodland bee at sunset stays and sups 
On honey-drops hid in fair flower cups. 

" Let 's be of sacred stars the mirrored light 
That sleeps on silent lakes in summer night." 

The night-winds sigh o'er lonely lake, till one 
By one the stars are rippled out and gone. 



128 



" Let 's be ourselves, then, love, just thou and I, 
Dreaming life's dream content, and waking die." 

Who lures love's image to his beating breast 
Clasps cruel thorns to pierce his heart's true rest. 

" Life's threads are twisted to a tangled lie 

Soiled with fierce passions, where, love, shall we fly ? 

Beneath death's dusky shroud, light golden gleams. 
From hidden angel's shining garments streams. 

" In heaven above, dear Love, then may we try 
To love forever purely — thou and L" 



129 



NIGHT FALLS, O! SLEEP, BELOVED, SLEEP. 

(SUGGESTED BY A NOCTURNE BY A. SCHULZ.) 

Night falls, O ! sleep, beloved, sleep. 

While mine eyes weep, 
Thy slumbers be with sweet dreams blest. 

For me unrest ; 
Nor till day dawn, do thou awake, 

Though my heart break. 

Through life's day, lo ! thy soul still sleeps, 

Mine vigils keeps ; 
Thy dreams are now all happiness, 

Mine bitterness. 
So thou be spared the taste of pain, 

That cup I '11 drain. 

Locked in death's arms, beloved, sleep 

A slumber deep. 
As on a tender mother's breast 

A child seeks rest ; 
Then wake to find in heaven's day 

My love for aye. 
130 



SCATTERED SUNSHINE. 

Half dreaming once, tongue-tied and fancy bound, 
There fell o' er me from sun a sudden flood, 

That wrapped my being in bliss, the shade around 
I saw not as in shining light I stood. 

Within my heart sprang up a flickering fl^me, 
A trembling happiness without a name. 

That glorified each trivial word or thought, 
And in life's web, red mystic letters wrought. 

! folly fully paid with dreary pain, 

I wake to find my sunbeams fled, gone, gone, — 
The short-lived dream of bliss, my golden rain, 
Streams on the hills beyond — I am alone. 

The sunlight swiftly scatters mists o' er sea. 

Streams through the woods and dells, o'er all but me. 

1 stand in shadow still, watching the while, 

My shifting sunshine on all others smile. 



131 



FEAR AND FAITH. 

What if he whispers, Httle maid, 
Low in thine ear ? 

What it' he does? I 'm not afraid — 
I will but hear. 

What if his words be — little maid — 
" I love thee madly ? " 

What if they are ? I 'm not afraid 
To listen gladly. 

What if he hold thee, little maid. 

With strong right arm ? 

What then ? with him, I 'm not afraid. 
And fear no harm. 

What if he kiss, O ! little maid. 

Thy red lips white ? 

What if he should — I 'm not afraid- 
He does e'er right. 

What if he leave thee, little maid, 



Alone till late? 
What theii; through years, I 'm not afraid 

To love and wait. 
What if he wed, O ! little maid, 

And pass thee by? 
What if he does ? I 'm not afraid — 

I can but die. 



U3 



A SOUL'S MESSAGE. 

Dost thou believe since said our last farewells 

No longing thoughts of thee have filled my breast ? 

Or that thine image 'fore my eyes ne'er dwells ? • 
O ! knowest thou not what woman's pride represt ?■ 

By friendship's art, O ! canst thou not divine 
The silent greetings in my letters sent, 

And read the unwrit words in every line. 

And feel what seeming trivial message meant ? 

Doth all the sympathy deep in my heart 

Awake no kindred echo in thine own ? 
Hast thou believed our souls need be apart 

Because our lives in different climes are thrown? 

Doth nothing ever to thee whisper low 
Thou art to me a daily strength and rest ; 

O ! wilt thou live thy life and never know 

Thy love has made my soul more pure and blest ?' 

134 



There is a time amid thy day's dull toil 

When thou must feel my unseen presence near. 

As freeing thought from earthly taint and toil 

Thou link'st my name with thine in earnest prayer. 

O ! may my influence in that sacred hour 
A soothing peace unto thy being prove, 

And soft and silently thy heart endower 

With knowledge of my faith, my hope, my love ! 



135 



STANZAS. 

As the flowers without the sun, 

As ocean bed without the sea, 
So dark and empty all my life 

When reft, O ! dearest heart, of thee ! 

As the flowers beneath the sun, 
As ocean's depths of purple sea, 

So bright and full is all my life 

When blest, O ! sweetest heart, with thee ! 



136 



SONG. 

I wish I were a nightingale, 

Or even httle linnet, 
I 'd perch upon your shoulder, love. 

In just about one minute. 
I 'd flutter little soft brown wings 

Beneath your sparkling ear-ring. 
And sing so loud and gayly, sweet, 

I 'd gain, perforce, a hearing. 
And ever in one joyous strain 

My ditty would be singing, 
Of building such a dainty nest 

When spring was blossoms bringing. 
No waiting should we need, love, 

But just for sunny weather. 
And then so blithe with twit and chirp. 

We 'd try a life together. 
But I 'm no lucky little bird, 

And in my well-worn pocket 

137 



There 's scarce a rap — now all my love 
Must I in my heart lock it ? 

I cannot fly — but only kneel, 
Nor sing my suit to win it. 

And I must wait, my dearest love, 
For nest — not beinc;' a linnet. 



138 



SONG. 

White mists lie o'er the moorlands, 
White clouds hang o'er the heather, 

And morn's light red and golden. 
Pierce clouds and mists together. 

The blue and purple mountains 

Awake to old, old story. 
And watch the sun woo lustily 

The earth in all dawn's glory. 

While the mists, like bridal veil 
Tossed back by royal lover. 

Float by, while fast he kisses 
The beauties they uncover. 

The mists lie o'er the moorlands, 
The clouds hang o'er the heather, — 

JLet me be sun to thee, sweet, 
And woo, this bonnie weather. 
139 



Let my strength conquer coyness, 
From thy soft heart it wresting, 

As sun the mists o'er moorlands, 
And on my breast be resting. 



140 



ONLY. 

Only a heart, fair love, 

Ever to own. 
Full of love deep and strong, 

Away thou hast thrown. 

Only a life, sweet heart, 

Useless through tears ; 
Joyous, it might have done 

Much through the years. 

Only a soul, dear love. 

Losing in thee 
Faith, loses all, methinks, 

Eternally. 



141 



" UMSONST ! " 

What are these perfect days without you, love ! 

What care I for the scented summer air, — 

The golden sun, the cloudlets debonair 
Half veiling the heaven's broad bosom blue, love ! 

Or what arc all the flowers unto mc, love, — 
Their tender blooms, and dainty gracefulness ; 
Or what the cooling streams that onward press 

Down rocky glades and vales to reach the sea, love ! 

Or what to me these glorious bright nights, love. 
When mount and mead are bathed in silvery flood ; 
The silent moon, sweet stars, bring me no good 

Till shared these scenes with you. O ! naught delights, love ! 



142 




Tho' mandolin 's mute, by the holy rood, 
I can feel its music beneath my hand. 
While my heart is beating in rhythmic mood." 



14: 



CANZONET. 

SUGGESTED BY A PICTURE BY J. RENEVRER. 

The marten flies through my window narrow, 

Flits to her shadowy nest on the wall, 
Fearing no longer stones, snares, nor arrow ; 

Her fluttering wings on her nestlings fall. 
And the chirpings cease from the restless brood ; 

A tender silence droops over them all. 
Tho' mandolin 's mute, by the holy rood, 

I can feel its music beneath my hand. 
While my heart is beating in rhythmic mood, 

For I see from my window my lady stand. 
The brighter blossoms in blooming parterre, 

The fairest, the purest in all the land. 
The evening glow lights her radiant hair, 

That gleameth golden through pearl-knotted net, 
Like sunshine through cloudlets in summer air. 

Her blue-veined wrist holds a hawk, eyes of jet 
Are daring to glance into sweet eyes of blue. 

144 



Would that I were where that bold bird is set, 
Watching the changes of my lady's hue. 

See how the wanton red robe closely clings 
To tapering waist, rounded bust ; O ! to woo 

Beauty is but for knight belted who flings 
Foremost his lance 'gainst the foe in the fight. 

But never dare pages dream of such things. 
The faint flush has faded far from strained sight. 

My lady has vanished, her loveliness gone, 
Leaving the heavens and my soul in night. 

The hot air is stifling, one after one 
Come lurid red flashes, showing skies lower, 

I dare not be lingering with wild thoughts alone. 
My lady is waiting for me in her bower, 

There will my mandolin's music be heard. 
And there the spell gloomy^ bred in lonely tower, 
Will flee from my soul like wind-driven bird. 

When winning a smile from the lips that I prize. 
Yet the tapestry by my sighing is stirred, 
And I read in the depths of my lady's eyes 
Sweet pity and sadness from song of mine — 
As if my heart's secret she could divine. 



M5 



IMPROMPTU. 

The brightest moon in clearest skies 

Casts darkest shade through trees below, 

Can we complain should love arise, 
If from its light some shadows grow ? 



146 



HIDE MY SECRET WELL. 

Hide my secret well, 

Buttercup and harebell blue, 
Daisy — iris, violet true. 

Wilding rose, O ! never tell — 
What I oft have told to you — 
Hide my secret well. 

Whisper not one word. 
Bumble-bee and butterfly, 
Grasshopper and cricket shy, 

Quaker miller, ladybird, 

Midgets that in blossoms lie, 
Whisper not one word. 

Keep my secret long — 
Bonnie birdies as ye sing 
In yon nest, or on the wing, 

147 



At your eve or matin song, 
Ever in sweet carolling 
Keep my secret long. 

Hide my secret, aye, 

Sunshine o'er the dales and wold. 
River running swift and cold, 

Tangled paths in forest way. 

Mountains purple high and bold, 
Hide my secret, aye. 

Keep this secret mine 

All sweet summer life that proves 
Safest of safe friends, and. moves 

'Souls to make their sorrows thine. 
Till one heart, I prize, mine loves 
Keep this secret mine. 



148 



STANZAS. 

When near thee, thy dear presence thrills 
My inmost being, and sweetly fills 

Life full of ecstasy and love. 

No joy beyond my soul would prove. 

Thus am I with thee, when apart 
Thy influence lingers in my heart. 

As lost shell echoes still the sea 
It loves, as I dear Heart love thee. 



149 



I LOVE THEE! 

I love thee ! 

Be it wise or no to think it. 
The thought upon my heart has hold- 
As trinket, 
Was graven in the days of old 
To amulet 'gainst sorcery. 

I love thee ! 

Be it wise or not to know it. 
And what brings knowledge to my brain ?■ 

Lo! it 
Gives dewy peace and fiery pain, 

Eve's apples sweet's and misery. 

I love thee ! 

Be it wise or no to tell it. 
Speech is passion's wine, can thirsty soul 
Repel it ? 

150 



Tho' draining young love's fragile bowl 
May haste to mar it utterly. 

I love thee ! 

Wise or not to say, know, think it ; 
When nectar Amor offers us 

We drink it. 
Eve's apple taste again, and thus 

Hearts love-charmed, brave Time's witchery. 



151 



LIFE, DEATH, AND LOVE. 

O ! Life, Life, Life, 
Primeval dower of the human kind, 
Thou flee'st when death the silver cords unbind, 
As fallen leaves before a gusty wind. 

O ! Death, Death, Death. 
Mighty release of the caged soul, 
Creation's king art thou from pole to pole. 
And claimest all the living for thy dole. 

O ! Love, Love, Love, 
The light of God shines from thy tender eyes, 
From Life, from Death thou stealest still the prize, 
And borne by thee we enter Paradise. 



152 



FRIENDS? 

No, let us part, we ne'er can be 

Mere friends, since liking has grown such 
It needs but word, or look, or touch 

To change it to love's ecstacy. 

Mere friends ? why dost thou when alone 
Seem moved, and speak in accents low. 
And let gaze, voice soft, tender grow 

Till all my firm resolves are gone? 

Why seem to linger by my side ; 
Why tell me I have now become 
Part of thy life, and yet be dumb, 

When thou couldst ask, nor be denied ? 

Mere friends ? why does the warm blood creep 
Into my cheeks when thou art near ; 
Why does a new and nameless fear 

Steal from mine eyes sweet, restful sleep ? 
153 



Why does the thought of parting bring 
Such swift, keen pain unto my soul, 
Why hast thou taught me now the whole 

Of Love's long creed of suffering? 

Perchance thy heart tho' fond is free 
And calmly beats within thy breast. 
Still must we part and deem it best 

For friend to thee I cannot be. 

If through the years some strength I gain, 
Then can my soul with struggle o'er. 
Know friendship's pleasure as of yore 

Without this passion and this pain. 

But now, O ! deem me not unkind, 
That I fain banish from mine eyes 
Thine image I too dearly prize ; 

We part — since thou as friend art blind. 



154 



SONG. 

Dost ask wJiy I love thee? 
Demand the restless wind 
Why never still — or find, 

Why moons bewitch the sea. 

Or ask of studded skies 

What glories hide the stars, 
Pinning the blue that bars 

The unknown from our eyes. 

Or if thou from me dost 
Venture to steal reply, 
My lips say : " Till I die 

I love thee, since I must." 



155 



THREE ROSES. 

There came my way three roses rare — 
One white as snow on mountain's crest, 
Or foam-flecks on the billow's breast. 

One pink as fragile shell, or where 
Dawn flushes ere the day 's awake ; 
One red as hearts that love and break. 

The first rose sang : '* Thine every care 
Is known to One ; Faith give thee light 
When groping still through sorrow's night." 

The second sang : " Be brave, and dare 
To smile when others frown ; descry 
Some dawning pink in every sky." 

And sang the third : '' O ! Love can bear 
All losses, crosses, bitter pain. 
Some help to give, some hearts to gain." 



156 



COME! 

Tho' voices cannot reach thee, dear, 

The wistful words must have their way — 

Breaking the silence till I hear 
Rocks even echoing my say. 

And, be it right, or be it wrong, 

Such longing comes o'er me to-night — 

A longing, O ! so great and strong, 

To share with thee this fair moon's light. 

So silent? do I call in vain? 

Well, hearts must cry tho' lips be dumb, 
So my sad soul in love and pain 

Articulates : " Beloved, come !" 



157 



GUARDIAN ANGEL. 

Spirit from celestial city, 

Spirit mighty, spirit pure, 
Round my restless pillow hover, 

Help me patiently endure 

Thoughts of sadness, thoughts that struggle. 

Vainly to express in speech, 
All the striving and the longing 

For a rest I cannot reach. 

But from thoughts of harm and passion 

Keep me, guardian spirit true ; 
Wakeful, keep me humbly praying 

All night's solemn watches through. 

Spirit tender, whose fair pinions 
Gleam with heavenly golden light, 

*Mid the shades of sin or sorrow 
Be my beacon and delight. 
158 



Through the sunshine, through the darkness, 

Wheresoe'er my feet abide, 
May no sin or fooHsh error 

Drive thee, spirit, from my side. 

'Mid the jar of worldly tumult. 

In the stillness of my soul. 
Let me listen for the rustle 

Of thy wings to keep me whole. 

Spirit pure and spirit mighty. 
Bear my faltering thanks above ; 

With them swiftly, spirit guardian, 
Bear my prayers for him I love. 



159 



THOU! 

I know now why such bitter tears were shed, 
I know now why my weary feet have bled, 
That pain should teach me how to love thee best 
Long wanderings bring me unto thee to rest. 
My darkness is illumined by thy light, 
My wrong through thee is moulded into right, 
My weakness leaning on thy strength is strong, 
My sighing in thy sunshine turns to song. 
Without thy love how faint my soul would be, 
Thou life in life, thou all in all to me. 




i6c 



LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 



018 597 116 8 



